It’s springtime in Michigan (finally). Grass is starting to look green again, trees, flowers, and bushes are blooming, and for me, spring allergies are starting up. What that means in my world is that since having cancer, surgeries in my neck, radiation, and vocal chord paralysis, it has become increasingly more difficult to breathe. I already have a dry throat from the RAI and external beam radiation but since I take allergy meds, it gets even drier. Sometimes the dryness makes me cough uncontrollably for long periods of time. Because of my paralysis, my cough sounds more like a bark or a sneeze. People either say “bless you” or they slowly move as far away from me as possible. The coughing and drainage make my vocal chords swell which in turn make it more difficult for me to breathe.
All this to say that breathing is a miracle. We have five senses; see, hear, taste, touch, smell. They say that when people are missing even one of these, that their other senses become heightened. But breathing on the other hand is life; without breath, there’s no life and when breathing is difficult, there’s fear. Last week I visited with part of my voice team (from the book, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Menaldi). It’s amazing to me how observant they are. They can hear and detect different nuances to my voice and my breathing just when they hear me speak or even while I’m just sitting there. I have less fear knowing that they’re prepared to aid in my breathing and speaking as necessary and are always there checking on me.
I know for me that my difficulties will happen every spring and fall, or even at random times, but that’s ok. It’s now a part of me, a reminder of the amazing journey I’ve been through, and a reminder to slow down and listen to my body and to simply breathe in life. Take a deep breath, smell the new flowers, the freshly mowed lawn, the springtime air, and remember to thank God for life and the miracle of new beginnings. 
This week I am wearing Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips lip gloss in Kanani. It is a beautiful, sheer peachy pink color. What’s great about the Buxom glosses is that they make your lips tingle when you put them on. Since we’re talking spring and new life, I thought this tingle would wake your lips up! I’ve also been asked about other cosmetics I use. First off, I buy lipstick all the time, the rest of the stuff, maybe once a year. I’ll start with foundation for today. For everyday, I use Bare Escentuals Mineral Powder-matte. It’s just a light powder that melts into your skin. For the days I feel like I may need more coverage (when I’m tired or for a special event), I’ll wear Armani Luminous Silk foundation. This is a miracle product because it’s light as air yet covers every flaw, it’s also got buildable coverage. So that’s it…Happy Spring (and always wear SPF)!
Anna's Lipstick Journey 
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